If you are about to be a college freshman, more than likely, you are looking for scholarships to help finance your education. Well, you're in luck – there are plenty of scholarships available specifically for freshmen on Unigo.com! This article will provide an overview of just some scholarships for college freshmen, including information on how to apply and how to meet eligibility requirements. So read on to learn more and start applying today!
It's never too early to get started. Scholarships for freshmen could assist with reducing student debts and reducing educational expenses such as tuition, living expenses, textbooks, laboratory fees, etc. The sooner you begin working toward it, the more you'll acquire benefits and the less money you'll have to pay off after your graduation.
$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are pursuing high school completion/GED studies or postsecondary education (including graduate degrees) and have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. Students must be 18 years of age or older and actively involved in rehabilitive efforts.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students in Maine who are pursuing a career in journalism.
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$2,333
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available to U.S. students who are national members of the Japanese American Citizens League and plan to enroll in undergraduate or graduate studies in the upcoming fall semester. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate financial need and/or are graduate students.
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$2,333
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are national members of the Japanese American Citizens League. Students must submit samples of creative artistic works to apply.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for residents of Androscoggin County, Maine. Applicants must have unmet financial need and must be attending or planning to attend a college or university in Maine.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors at Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, unmet financial need, and a history of involvement in school and/or community activities.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$6,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is open to students pursuing postsecondary education or training who reside in one of the towns served by the Charlotte-Shelburne (VT) Rotary Club. Students must demonstrate community involvement/service.
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$2,000
Award Amount
27
Awards
May 31
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent and have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Freshmen and sophomore applicants must attend Blackfeet Community College; junior and senior applicants must attend Salish Kootenai College.
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$8,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This undergraduate scholarship is open to residents of Forsyth County, North Carolina, who have been in foster care or had two deceased parents prior to their 18th birthday. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher or received a GED, and must demonstrate financial need.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for current college freshman who are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,250
Award Amount
1
Award
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are military veterans and pursuing a degree in the field of music. Preference will be given to veterans who served overseas.
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$400
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 14
Deadline
This fellowship is open to U.S. students who have been accepted in the University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services master of education degree program. Preference will be given to graduate students in special education.
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$1,200
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for undergraduate students in the U.S. and Canada. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must be majoring in science.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are residents of Forsyth or Yadkin counties in North Carolina; preference will be given to students pursuing degrees in music or music ministry. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrated financial need, leadership, service, and community involvement.
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$12,669
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship program is open to U.S. students who are currently employed in any role within the retail or restaurant industries and plan to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree to further their career within the retail or restaurant industries. This scholarship covers full tuition at the University of Phoenix (any campus location or online).
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
The Houzz Residential Construction Management Scholarship is available for U.S. students who are majoring in architecture, interior design or landscape architecture and intending to pursue a career in sustainable construction develeopment. Applicants must submit an online application and create a Houzz student profile to be considered for this award.
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$1,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
The RevPart STEM Scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Selection of recipients is based primarily on academic achievement.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. women who are majoring in business. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 12
Deadline
The Mark McCollum Scholarship is available for construction or engineering majors at California State University, Sacramento. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and enroll full time.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
The Christians in Journalism Scholarship is provided annually for undergraduate students who are majoring in journalism at the University of Texas, Austin. Applicants must be born-again Christians and must demonstrate both activity within their church and strong academic performance.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 20
Deadline
The Ertheo Scholar Athlete Scholarship is available for undergraduate students who play soccer, tennis, or golf at a division one college or university.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for LGBT students and straight allies who reside in or are looking for need-based support. Click to learn more and apply today!
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$11,000
Award Amount
15
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
Catch A Break! Scholarship program will be celebrating its 10th year in 2024. CAB! has awarded $1.6 million in scholarships to date. CAB! awards $11,000 per year/renewable for 4 years 15 scholarships available each year
CAB! is also more than just financial support: scholarship recipients receive community support throughout their college years. Each CAB! scholar receives an individual mentor, and there are 3 community events per year to foster social support and networking. Earning a scholarship through CAB! comes with an built-in community.
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$1,500
Award Amount
2
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This award is available for undergraduate students who plan to pursue a career in broadcasting. Preference will be given to students who are enrolled at, or have graduated from, two-year colleges that have a departmental membership with the Broadcast Education Association.
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When you are starting your college journey, figuring out how to pay for it can feel daunting. Between scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. One of the best ways to fund your education—especially in your first year—is through grants. Unlike student loans, grants typically don’t need to be repaid, making them a valuable form of financial aid. In this guide, we’ll break down what grants are, where they come from, and how you can secure them to help cover your freshman-year expenses.
Types of Grants Available to College Freshmen
Federal Grants
Federal grants are often the first place freshmen turn for financial aid. The Pell Grant, one of the most common grants, is awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate significant financial need. Because the maximum Pell Grant amount changes annually, it’s important to check the Federal Student Aid website for the most up-to-date information. To apply, students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it becomes available. Another federal grant is the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), which provides additional grant funds to low-income students who qualify for the Pell Grant. Since SEOG funding is limited and distributed by individual institutions, submitting the FAFSA early is crucial.
State-Sponsored Grants
Many states offer grants specifically for residents who plan to attend in-state colleges or universities. For example, California’s Cal Grant program supports students attending both public and private institutions who meet certain GPA and financial need criteria. New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) helps residents attending approved colleges and universities in the state. Eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts vary by state, so it is essential to review your state’s higher education agency website. In most cases, these state grants take into account both financial need and academic performance.
Institutional Grants for Freshmen
In addition to federal and state sources, colleges and universities themselves often award grants to attract and support promising freshmen. These grants may be awarded based on need, merit, or a combination of both. To find out what your prospective institution offers, start by reviewing the school’s financial aid webpage. It may also be helpful to contact a school’s financial aid office directly to inquire about freshman-specific grants. Some colleges automatically consider admitted students for their internal grant programs, while others may require separate applications. By exploring these institutional opportunities, you can discover valuable sources of funding tailored to your individual circumstances and academic profile.
Scholarships Applications Tips for College Freshmen
Scholarship applications can be daunting, and it can be difficult to know where to start. The following tips can help you navigate the scholarship application process:
- Start by doing your research. There are many different types of scholarships available, so it’s important to identify the ones that are most likely to be a good fit for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take the time to read through the eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully.
- Create a timeline for yourself. Applying for scholarships takes time and effort, so it’s important to create a timeline that will help you stay on track. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to gather all of the required materials and write a strong essay.
- Proofread your application thoroughly before submitting it. This may be one of the most important steps in the process, as even a small mistake could disqualify you from consideration. Be sure to ask someone else to read over your application as well, just to be sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Start Applying for Scholarships as a Freshman?
The answer is yes! Many scholarships may be available to students who are just beginning their college journey. However, it is important to note that the competition for scholarships might be fierce. To give yourself the best chance of success, you should start researching and applying for scholarships as early as possible. Many scholarships may require students to submit essays or personal statements, so it may also be important to begin working on your writing skills. If you start early and put in the effort, you could increase your chances of attaining a scholarship and help to relieve some of the financial burdens of paying for college.
Why It’s Important to Apply for Scholarships as a Freshman
Applying for scholarships as a freshman is important because it may give you the opportunity to receive financial aid. The earlier you start applying for scholarships, the better your chances often are of receiving one. Freshmen are usually unaware of the vast number of scholarships available to them, which is why it is so important to begin your search early. By starting your search early, you may increase your chances of finding scholarships that are a good fit for you and your academic interests. In short, applying for scholarships as a freshman is often an important step in ensuring that you can afford the college of your choice.
Benefits of Scholarships for College Freshmen
Scholarships often provide many benefits for college freshmen, including financial assistance, recognition, and opportunities. One of the most obvious benefits of scholarships is that they can help you pay for your education. With the rising cost of tuition, room, board, and other expenses, scholarships may be a much-needed source of financial assistance.
In addition to providing financial assistance, scholarships could also help you stand out from your peers. Scholarships are often awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence or have unique talents or abilities. Receiving a scholarship might give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs or graduate school.
Finally, scholarships may provide you with opportunities to get involved in your field of interest. Many scholarships may be awarded by organizations or companies that are related to the student’s field of study. For example, a student interested in engineering might receive a scholarship from an engineering firm. These types of scholarships often come with benefits like paid internships or the opportunity to shadow a professional in your field.
The sooner you begin looking for scholarships, the more likely you are to find ones that fit both your academic interests and preferences. Applying for scholarships during freshman year gives you the best chance of being able to finance your college education. By beginning your search early, you may have more time to put together a strong application with all the required materials.
Start applying for 2025 scholarships for college freshmen today!
There’s no time like the present to start looking for scholarships! The sooner you start the process, the more money you could potentially have for college. And don’t think that you have to be a straight-A student to qualify – there are usually scholarships available for all types of students, from those who excel in academics to those who are involved in extracurricular activities. So what are you waiting for? Take a few minutes each day to search for scholarships, and before you know it, you’ll have a stack of applications waiting to be filled out. Don’t wait until it’s too late – start applying for scholarships today!
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff